Ashwell Primary School, Baldock

Ofsted's report card from its 9 June 2026 inspection grades Ashwell Primary School on 7 areas: 5 strong standard and 2 expected standard. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Attendance and behaviour - Strong standard. "The school provides a highly supportive environment for its pupils."

Early years - Strong standard. "The early years provision gives children a highly nurturing and effective start to school."

Inclusion - Strong standard. "Inclusion lies at the heart of the school's work."

Leadership and governance - Strong standard. "Leaders and governors are highly ambitious for the school and the community it serves."

Personal development and wellbeing - Strong standard. "Leaders place a sharp focus on pupils' personal development."

Achievement - Expected standard. "Pupils progress well through the curriculum."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "Leaders have improved the curriculum since the previous inspection."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should further support staff to raise their expectations of pupils' writing so that more pupils consistently produce writing that reflects what they are capable of"; "Leaders should continue to develop their strategy to ensure pupils consistently produce high-quality work across the curriculum".

From the headteacher's welcome: "Ashwell Primary School is a nurturing school where the children are at the heart of everything we do. Set in the idyllic village of Ashwell, we work closely in partnership with the other local schools, nurseries and playgroups. We cater for children aged 3 to 11 years and currently have 223 children on roll."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include football, netball, gymnastics, dance, choir, chess and gardening.

The school runs a breakfast club from 7:30am and after-school care.

Coming up: an open day on Thursday 5 November 2026 at 9.30am, an open day on Friday 6 November 2026, an open day on Wednesday 11 November 2026 at 9.30am and an open day on Friday 13 November 2026. Check the school's website before you go, as dates can change.

In 2025, 93% of Year 6 pupils at Ashwell Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 89% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 79% and 76% in Hertfordshire and 77% and 75% across England.

Results rose from 77% in reading and 81% in maths in 2024.

With small year groups, a few pupils can move these figures by several points.

For September 2026 entry, 37 families put Ashwell Primary School as their first choice and 57 named it as one of their preferences, for 29 places offered. That is 1.3 first choices for every place. 8 families who put it first were not offered a place there.

The nearest other state primary schools to Ashwell Primary School are Steeple Morden CofE VC Primary School (2.2 miles, Requires improvement, 61% reading, 67% maths); Guilden Morden CofE Primary Academy (2.9 miles, Good); St Mary's CofE Academy Stotfold (3.4 miles, Good); and Dunton CofE Junior School (3.5 miles, Good).

8.7% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), and 4.4% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (89%) and Mixed (5%).

Ashwell Primary School had 15 teachers in 2026, one for every 14 pupils: more teachers per pupil than a typical primary school, at about one for every 20.

The nearest railway station is Ashwell & Morden Rail Station, about 2 miles away in a straight line.

4 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Gardiners Lane (adjacent), 130 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 8 crimes within a mile of the school, most often anti-social behaviour, criminal damage and arson and other theft. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Hertfordshire (138).

In 2024/25, Ashwell Primary School issued 2 suspensions, 0.9 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.